PARALLEL SESSION 2C: NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS

The second parallel session under the theme of “Networks and Partnerships: Expanding and Strengthening Collaboration in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” was moderated by Dean Min Park of the George Mason University in Korea. It brought together three papers presenting types of partnership methods that can be considered in achieving the SDGs.

In the first presentation for the session, Dr. Seong Ju Kang of the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea cited the adoption of technological tools to enhance public service. The context of Korea provided for participation and collaboration between developed and developing countries through the enabling environment established by its IT policy, industrial policy, and telecom policy.  Applying these in implementing SDGs, he highlighted factors to be considered – securing support from both citizens and leadership, human resources, technological capacity by institution building, securing financial resources, and use of experiences and knowledge. Lastly, he shared the National Informatization Assessment Tool (NIAT), a policy design tool which can be utilized in helping to systematically shape action to achieve the SDGs.
Ms. Krismiyati Tasrin shared the case of Bandung City in Indonesia in terms of how the Multi-Stakeholders Partnership (MSP) Model applied in the local government unit. She pointed out the roles of local governments, academia, private sectors and civil society in promoting innovation. The result of her study points out to the preqrequisites for the successful implementation of the MSP model based on the strengths and weaknesses of the existing model in Bandung City, Indonesia. With the case, she recommends that involved stakeholders should have an existing agreement – indicating the roles and responsibilities of each, and also to have a good leadership who can initiate innovative practices and collaborate with other stakeholders.
Dr. Masao Kikuchi explored the concept of Inter Municipal Collaboration (IMC) and the basic conditions by which it can exist among municipalities in Japan. He examined four areas through Binary Logistic Regression based on official statistics. Results of the study showed that administrative capacity and institutional setting have positive impact to promote IMC compared to fiscal condition and demographic patterns, particularly the elderly. He mentioned that IMC may have something to do with municipal amalgamation as a strategic choice.